Wagon-bolster.



W. B. MILLIGAN.

WAGON BOLSTERL APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2, 1909 Wihwooe WILLIAM B. MILLIGAN OF MON'IICELLO, ILLINOIS.

WAGON-BOLSTER.

Application filed June 2, 1909.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM B. MILLI- can, a citizen of the United States, residing at Monticello, in the county of Piatt, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in VVagon-Bolsters; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to wagon bolsters, and has for one of its objects to provide a simply constructed device whereby the stakes may be adjusted longitudinally of the bolsters to adapt the same to wagon bodies of different width, and of different construction.

Vith this and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction as hereafter shown and described and then specifically pointed out in the claims, and in the drawings illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 is a side elevation of a conventional bolster including a portion of the axle, reach, and rear hounds, the hounds and reach being in section, and with the device applied to the bolster. Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of a bolster including one of the improved attachments. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4: is a perspective view from beneath of one of the sliding stake coupling members.

The improved device may be applied to bolsters of various forms and sizes without material structural changes, and for the purpose of illustration the improved device is shown applied to a conventional bolster represented at 10 and having the usual wear plate 11 upon its upper face and with the reach 12, rear hounds 13"14:, and axle 15 connected therewith in the usual manner, these parts being of the usual form.

One of the improved devices will be connected to each end of the bolster, and as they are precisely alike, the description of one will sufiice for both. Secured around the bolster at each end is a sheet metal plate formed with spaced vertical sides 1617, the side 16 having an extension 18 folded inwardly over the bolster at one side, and the side 17 being provided with an extension 19 folded inwardly over the opposite side of the bolster, the folded over portions 18-19 being spaced away from the upper Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 15, 1910.

Serial No. 499,772.

surface of the wear plate to form guide ways longitudinally of the bolster, as shown.

Bearing upon each end of the bolster and extending beneath the guide members 18-l9 is a plate 20, the plate being thus slidable along the upper face of the bolster and guided in its movements by the members 18-19. At its inner end each plate is provided with downwardly directed wings 212-2, which bear upon opposite sides of the bolster and materially increase the stability of the plate, and relieve the guide members 1819 and the side members 16-17 largely from lateral strains.

The bolster 10 is provided with spaced transverse apertures 23 to receive a bolt 2 1 extending through the depending wings 2l-22 and likewise through the bolster, and by means of which the plates 20 and the wings may be adjustably secured to the bolster, the adjustments being made possible by providing a plurality of the apertures. As many of the apertures may be employed as required, but for the purpose of illustration three are shown, which will generally be found suflicient, as hereafter explained.

Each of the plates 20 is provided with a relatively large aperture 25 as shown in Fig. 4, and fitting in this aperture is the reduced end 26 of a stake 27. Fitting along the inner and outer faces of the stake and likewise extending over the top, is a combined guard and holding plate 28, the lower ends of the side portions of the guard being directed outwardly as shown at 2930 and riveted at 31-32 firmly to the plate 20. By this means the plate and stake are firmly united and supported, and a stake produced which will withstand the severe strains to which devices of this character are subjected when in use. The stakes are provided with the usual loops 33 to receive the binding chains.

By this simple means it will be obvious that the stakes 32 may be adjusted upon the bolster at any required extent within the range of the apertures 23, and thus adapted to wagon bodies of different widths, and to wagon bodies of different structures, and employed for different purposes. The plates 1617 with their inwardly directed portions 1819 will be of sheet or plate steel, and of suflicient strength to withstand the severe strains to which they will be subjected, while the stake supporting members 28293O are likewise of plate steel, and of sufficient strength to firmly support the stakes in position, and to enable them to resist the severe strains to which they Will be subjected When in use.

WVhat is claimed is 1. The combination with a bolster having longitudinal guideWays, of plates operating beneath said guideWays, and With depending portions bearing upon opposite sides of the bolster, stakes supported from said plates, and means for adjustably coupling said plates to said bolster.

2. An attachment for bolsters comprising plates secured to opposite sides thereof and with inwardly directed upper edges Which form longitudinal guideways above the bolster, plates slidably engaging said guide- Ways, and With depending portions bearing upon opposite sides of the bolster, stakes supported from said plates, and means operating through said depending portions for adjustably coupling said plates to said bolster.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature, in presence of two Witnesses.

XVILLIAM B. MILLIGAN. lVitnesses T. C. JOHNSTON, L. E. LINDSLEY. 

